US 250 Resources

On July 4, 2026, the US will celebrate the semiquincentennial or 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the act that led to the creation of the United States of America.  This yearlong commemoration will be marked at the national, state, and local levels, and museums in Kansas are uniquely positioned to help people in our communities learn and reflect during this time. 

This page will connect Kansas museums with resources to help you discover existing programming, look for opportunities for collaboration, and think through how your museum wants to engage with the US 250th.

Content will be updated as time allows.  To submit your content to be added here please use the Contact Us form and under question topic choose “general” from the dropdown. 

 

Landing Pages for US 250:

Humanities Kansas: Declaration 1776 Traveling Exhibition

  • This traveling exhibit from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will tour 46 different institutions in Kansas in 2026.  It focuses on how the Declaration of Independence has inspired Americans and others, and includes a panel on “Kansas” in 1776.

 

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks: Outdoor Recreation Challenge

  • Register and log 10 of your favorite ways to spend time outside by July 4, 2026 and receive a certificate of completion.  


Kansas Volunteer Commission: Volunteer Day of Service on Sept. 11

  • Museums that need volunteers for projects can sign up now to be added to a list of organizations that will be promoted so that people who want to volunteer on the 9/11 Commemoration Day of Service can be connected with volunteer opportunities. 

 

State Library of Kansas: Kansas 250 Bookshelf

  • The State Library of Kansas has monthly themed reading lists throughout 2026 with books written by or about Kansans.  They also have paired program ideas and partnership suggestions with that month's theme that museums can promote and build from.

 

Humanities Kansas: Declaration Conversations Toolkits – available January 2026

  • Free online kit to help you host your own conversation about the Declaration of Independence, including a PowerPoint, discussion questions, and copies of the Declaration

            

US Chamber of Commerce Foundation: 250th Celebration for Business Playbook

  • A guide for… “organizations of all sizes [to] plan inclusive, nonpartisan celebrations that educate, engage, and inspire.”  Scalable ideas for different capacities and budgets, whether you are looking for year-long programs or a single event.

 

American Association for State and Local History: Making History at 250: The Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial

  • Free guide with themes to connect your museum content with the commemoration

     

American Association for State and Local History: 250th Anniversary Program Handbook

  • Free low-cost program examples for any organization to use

 

American Association for State and Local History: Additional Planning Resources

  • Click on the “Planning Resources” Tab for additional resource kits, webinar recordings, technical leaflets, and more.

 

Rolling Deadline NEH: Celebrate America

 

January 15: NEH: Rediscovering our Revolutionary Tradition